University Heights Mayor Beryl Rothschild and Garfield Heights Mayor Thomas Longo preside over their last official Memorial Day parades

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerMayor of University Heights Beryl Rothschild waves to the Al Koran Korvettes drivers in their go-kart style-cars reflected in the chrome grill of a 1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith at the start of the city's Memorial Day parade Monday. It was Rothschild's last Memorial Day parade as mayor.

On Memorial Day, two communities honored veterans who served their country without guns but caught plenty of flak.

Beryl E. Rothschild and Thomas J. Longo marched in their last parade as mayor of University Heights and Garfield Heights, respectively.

Both mayors gave reluctant farewells. Term limits approved in 1995 are finally sidelining Rothschild, 80, after 32 years as mayor, the longest current stretch in Cuyahoga County. State receivership and environmental woes may have persuaded Longo, 67, to step down after 26 years.

The mayors will preside for a few more months but led Memorial Day for the last time. Rothschild has been particularly known for her parade. Her 1.9 square miles being too small and dense for July Fourth fireworks, volunteers put their all into Memorial Day, drawing thousands of people from near and far.

The tiny mayor -- last measured decades ago at 4 feet 11 -- stands every year on the front seat of a Rolls-Royce, draped in long necklaces of red, white and blue.

While successor hopefuls worked the crowds, residents voiced mixed feelings about the lame ducks.

"He did a good job for a long time," Art Hanford said about Longo. "All his dreams went pretty well down the dumper."

"Time for a change," said Karen Kipfstuhl. "He tried. He had a very difficult time."

University Heights Councilman Frank Consolo said of Rothschild, "She's been a great leader."

But resident Sarah Franklin said, "I think we need another mayor."

Both mayors raised shopping centers. Longo helped turn Garfield Park into a Cleveland Metropark. Rothschild, a Republican, was clobbered by Democratic incumbent Louis Stokes in a congressional race. But, despite her critics, she held her mayoral seat with ease in a heavily Democratic town.

On his last Memorial Day as mayor, Longo was wry as ever. "Twenty-six years," he said, "and we finally get a beautiful day."

The chatty Rothschild said, "I'm going to miss the job. Our city is doing so well. But life goes on."

She spoke to the crowd more about the military than herself. At the end, she said, "Since this will be my last Memorial Day parade at which I will officiate, I thank all of you who have made these parades possible for 43 years, even longer than I've been mayor. I hope they continue for many years to come."

City leaders gave Rothschild a couple of gifts, including homemade zucchini bread and a glass memento inscribed, "Your time made our city beautiful."

Both mayors vowed to stay in their communities, and neither seemed ready for a rocker just yet. Rothschild danced on stage yestereday while a choir sang "Sing! Sing! Sing!" Longo disdained an offer to ride in the parade.

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